Another round of Knesset elections

In terms of policy, this election has little else to offer. Social issues, the economy and the conflict with the Palestinians are not dominant themes; it’s a question of power. By Inge GuntherRead more

Interview with Algerian opposition leader Soufiane Djilali

Presidential elections or constitutional assembly? Algeria's opposition continues to argue over ways to overcome the crisis. A proposal by the Jil Jadid party could finally break down the entrenched fronts. Sofian Naceur spoke to its leader, Soufiane DjilaliRead more

Cultural politics in India

In July 2019, with hate crimes against minorities in India rising sharply, 49 eminent personalities signed an open letter to Narendra Modi, stating that the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' – Hail Lord Rama – a Hindu chant usually reserved for prayers or religious gatherings had become a war cry. By Amrita DasRead more

Abrahamic Teams in the MENA

The declared goal of the Abrahamic Teams is to improve how Jews, Christians and Muslims interact with and live alongside each other. The project, which originates in Germany, is now being implemented in Israel, Egypt and Morocco too. But, as Claudia Mende found out, interfaith dialogue does not progress quicklyRead more

Presidential elections or constitutional assembly? Algeria's opposition continues to argue over ways to overcome the crisis. A proposal by the Jil Jadid party could finally break down the entrenched fronts. Sofian Naceur spoke to its leader, Soufiane DjilaliMore

Middle East expert Kristin Helberg has published an authoritative book on Syria. In it, she explains why the conflict there is by no means over. In her home country of Germany, however, the Syrian debate is short on hard facts and more often than not clouded by populist repatriation fantasies. By Rene WildangelMore

Despite internal wrangling, Germanyʹs ruling coalition partners have decided – subject to parliamentary approval – to prolong its military deployment in the fight against Islamic State. Individual parts of the mandate may be extended by varying degrees, but the deployment of German Tornados should only last five months. By Seda SerdarMore

Society

The declared goal of the Abrahamic Teams is to improve how Jews, Christians and Muslims interact with and live alongside each other. The project, which originates in Germany, is now being implemented in Israel, Egypt and Morocco too. But, as Claudia Mende found out, interfaith dialogue does not progress quicklyMore

One of Indonesia's most popular clerics recently told a Muslim audience that there are demons in Christian crosses. The Indonesian Ulema Council (MUI) subsequently cleared him of blasphemy, thereby adding fuel to the fire of an already tense and alarming situation. By Marco Stahlhut in JakartaMore

Dedicated to preserving Iraq's diversity, which he considers the country's real capital, Saad Salloum has launched a new institute to combat hate speech and change the Islamic religious discourse. Interview by Gilgamesh NabeelMore

The Turkish school system is in crisis: pupil performance is slipping. Critics blame the Erdogan government for the trend, which has recently founded hundreds of Imam Hatip religious schools. Information from Burcu Karakas and Daniel Derya BellutMore

Culture

In July 2019, with hate crimes against minorities in India rising sharply, 49 eminent personalities signed an open letter to Narendra Modi, stating that the slogan 'Jai Shri Ram' – Hail Lord Rama – a Hindu chant usually reserved for prayers or religious gatherings had become a war cry. By Amrita DasMore

"Karin" is a musical dialogue between two virtuosos seeking to reconcile the souls of their home countries through their instruments. Marian Brehmer listened to the second album of Armenian duduk virtuoso Vardan Hovanissian and Turkish baglama master Emre GultekinMore

In early 2015, Pakistani activist Sabeen Mahmud organised an event on missing Balochi activists in her cafe. Later that day, she was killed by two men on the streets of Karachi. The documentary film "After Sabeen" is a very personal portrait of the woman. Interview by Schayan RiazMore

Amir Hassan Cheheltan has not published a novel in Iran in 15 years. The 62-year-old author does intend to refrain from writing either about politics or eroticism, as censorship in Iran prescribes. In Europe, meanwhile, his works are enjoying increasing popularity. Eight books by Cheheltan have already been published in German. Interview by Nasrin BassiriMore

Most Recent Photo Essay

Sheikh Hussein is a town in the Oromia region in south-eastern Ethiopia. The tomb of the 13th century Sufi Sheikh Hussein who introduced Islam to the area and is said to have performed many miracles is still visited by thousands of people. By Eric Lafforgue

Gideon Levy: Please, Bibi, let the annexations begin

I obviously won’t vote for Netanyahu, but I hope that this time he keeps his promise. Let him annex the Jordan Valley, and afterward the entire West Bank. Let him turn the reality in this territory into a political reality, without hiding it any longer. The time has come for truth.More

The rise and fall of Egyptian Arabic

Once the lingua franca of the Arab world, Egypt's dialect is in decline along with the country's cultural and political leadership, says The EconomistMore

Mirna Bamieh delves into Palestinian cuisine

Mirna Bamieh, artist and cook, is fighting the appropriation and disappearance of Palestinian cuisine by reviving old food practices and forgotten dishes.More

Iranian Maryam Ghadiri rediscovers pride in her heritage

When Maryam Ghadiri arrived in the U.S. she encountered stereotypes and pre-conceived ideas that made her want to conceal her Iranian identity. She now describes how she rekindled the pride she once had for her motherland, Iran, through curating a photo exhibit that celebrates Iran's rich culture, diversity and beauty.More

Discrimination: Welcome to Europe?

For Aiham Issa, a Syrian refugee in Germany, hardly a day goes by when he doesn’t experience discrimination. He is not alone. Across Europe migrants, refugees and their descendants are reporting an increase in xenophobia. These are some of their stories.More

Freedom of speech under attack in India

Siddharth Varadarajan, a founding editor of The Wire and former editor of The Hindu, gives the 2019 Reuters Memorial Lecture on 18 February 2019.More

Young Muslims cross Australia to challenge misconceptions about Islam

A group of young Australian Muslims are embarking on a rural expedition across the country to challenge misconceptions about their faith. The road trip will see the young men from six cities visit more than 50 rural towns on the way to a gathering at Uluru.More